Tuesday, September 29, 2009

You've probably heard the phrase "sippin syrup," used in reference to the act of mixing cough syrup, codeine, and soda together to create a relaxed feeling within the person who consumes the beverage. The "drank" has become quite popular, particularly in the south, as rappers have done their jobs of giving free promotion to an illegal product that has managed to make teenagers even less productive than many of them already are. It was only a matter of time before corporate America stepped in to make money off the trend. Meet the new drink on store shelves: Sippin Syrup. The drink doesn't use any illegal products, but produces the same "lean" effect that many young people seek from the cough syrup product on the street. Harmless enough, right? Not so fast. Officers in the Houston area are concerned that the product sold on store shelves is nothing more than a gateway to an incredibly dangerous and addictive drug. The snazzy ad campaign fully leverages the power of the brand of "purple stuff" being sold on the streets already. Teenagers who can't get the real stuff would likely be enticed by the substitute until the door is open for the actual product.

The original mad rappers, Onyx, are back, and they're not happy about Damon Dash's 'Blak Roc' collaboration album with The Black Keys. In a recent interview on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's Lip Service radio show on Shade 45, the baldhead rappers discussedyelled about Dash's project, which features notable MC's likeLudacris, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and more. "N----s is biting the whole f---in' movement," explained a ticked off Fredro Starr. "The 'Black Rock' s---, we been rocking with that. Now I'm hearing other n----s coming out with it...I ain't sayin' no f---in' names. You know what it is man, holla at me n----, 100 mad n----s with guns n----, stop playing games with me!"

Thursday, September 24, 2009

During the BET Awards, Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx did a skit called "Skank Robbers," which you can watch below. Some have argued that the video goes over the top, producing stereotypical images of black women to the point of being offensive. Referring to them as "skanks" was enough to draw the ire of many African Americans, but there was also a point in the video in which the narrator says, "From the producers of 'Planet of the Apes'."

This video leads to the following questions as it pertains to BET:1) Who's making the decisions? I'd love to see what thought process goes into deciding to make R. Kelly your keynote performer right after he is accused of creating child pornography, or having Lil Wayne sing about wanting to have sex with every girl in the world while underage girls are dancing on stage. I don't hate BET, and I've done a great deal of work with them in the past, but I would like very much for them to explain to the public exactly how they operate.

A long time ago, more like a couple of years, before Lil Wayne had a circus of artists that were Young Money, the rapper had a front man that had the potential to move with the self-proclaimed “best rapper alive.”

New Orleans rapper Currensy is making his presence felt outside of the mixtapes as he has partnered up with Amalgam Digital to release Jet Files which is dropping October 6. The digital release will serve as the prelude to bigger things as he will

Sir Lucious Leftfoot a.k.a. the son of Chico Dusty but better known as Big Boi, gave fans a taste of what they've been missing with a new song. The ATL legend went live on Ustream late Wednesday night with Atlien from Straight From The A in the infamous Stankonia recording studios. His fellow Dungeon Family affiliate,

Before the Roc had everybody throwing their diamonds in the air and before the Diplomats were holding down the New York scene, the Ruff Ryders were it. A strong army built with DMX, Swizz Beatz, L.O.X., Eve and others, this was a team that dominated in all aspects during the late 90s.

Unexpectedly, the group disbanded as everyone went out to do their own thing and DMX found himself

When the president was simply known as Senator Barack Obama running for office, all hands were on deck as it pertained to the overall support that he was receiving. It fully showed in the landslide results of the election against McCain as most in the Black community raised their arms to say “My President is Black.”

Since then, there have been mixed reviews in relation to actions that have been made by the president since entering the White House. Whatever the case may be, he has left lasting impressions on certain people in the urban community as they have all strived to become more than they once were now that they are aware of the fact that a Black man has the ability

In the midst of promoting his new super-group, Dirty Money, Diddy, is facing yet another legal issue. As previously reported he was facing a copyright infringement lawsuit from a singer accusing the mogul of stealing his song, “I'm Just Getting Started” for a song titled “Just Getting Started” by Day 26. While that court case is still pending, Diddy's finding himself the center of a lawsuit scandal concerning his signature cologne.

Anthony "DJ Roc Raida" Williams, has reportedly died on September 19. The announcement came from Busta Rhymes via Twitter.

"I am sorry 2 say that on this day at 2:05 Sept 19th we lost another incredible life...Dj Roc Raida died 2day my personal Dj is gone... I just wanna thank everyone 4 ur love and support and ur prayers...We will never let ur name die Roc...We love u and will 4ever miss u...RIP." ~Busta Rhymes' Twitter

The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida was a member of the New York-based crew the X-Men who later became known as the X-ecutioners. Champions of furthering the turntablist movement, the X-Ecutioners made

Rap newcomer Charles Hamilton has been reportedly dropped from Interscope Records. Never heard of him? Well, it seems the young Harlem native's career may have imploded. Despite getting signed to Interscope through Pharrell's Star Trak imprint, so called hipster rapper C Ham has gotten into one fiasco after another. No word on why Interscope Records may have dropped him, but it might have something to do with this...

Although statewide driving under the influence accidents are reportedly down in Colorado, Oakland, and California, rapper Del Tha Funky Homosapien was recently injured in a drunk driving accident en route to Denver on September 18th, 2009.

Del The Funky Homosapien and his crew members were reportedly rear ended by a drunk driver in an Escalade.

M1, one half of the rap group dead prez, will be on a speaking tour from September 23 through the 29th. The tour is entitled “From The Ghetto To Gaza.” The rapper is set to hit up East and West Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Jose and Santa Cruz with seven events in seven days.

In “From The Ghetto To Gaza,” M1 will speak on his recent world tour where he touched down in Scandinavia, Cairo and Gaza. In Gaza M1 made

Queen Latifah wants to see you make your best diva face. The rapper/actress has teamed up with Cover Girl to launch the “Ignite Your Persona Competition.” The winner could get the opportunity to perform as an opening act during Queen Latifah's tour.

Whether you're a hustler, diva, showstopper, lady or vixen, the Queen wants you to submit a one-minute video performance showcasing one of those personas that fits you best. Along with a

On Sunday, September 20th New York City will be the host to the “Hip Hop Subway Series.” The event will feature the city's best Hip-Hop talent from emcees, singers, musicians, break dancers and others. All the talent will be underground, literally!

The event takes place underground at the back of Brooklyn bound A Train platform at the Times Square 42nd Street subway.

Ever wonder where all the women in Hip Hop have gone? Intermedia Arts has too but they've decided to be proactive and celebrate the contributions of B-Girls to Hip-Hop in the meantime. Part of the celebration is the “B-Girl Be Block Party” to be held on September 19th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

More details are emerging about Snoop's upcoming releaseMalice N Wonderland. Priority Records new chairman has tapped the talents of The Dream, Tricky Stewart, R. Kelly, Lil Jon, Gucci Mane, Brandy, Pharrell and his new best friend Soulja Boy. On "Different Languages," the song dedicated to his wife Shante, Snoop shows his softer